Conduit system

ABSTRACT

A conduit system for supplying, conducting and distributing fluids, especially air, comprising profiles, which have a longitudinal channel for the fluid and, in at least one outer wall, at least one recess for receiving a fastening element for a connecting element. The fastening element passes through the connecting element and comprises a clamping piece which is inserted into a recess and fixed in the recess by turning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a conduit system for supplying, conducting anddistributing fluids, especially air, comprising profiles which have alongitudinal channel for the fluid and, in at least one outer wall, atleast one recess for receiving a fastening element for a connectingelement.

Conduit systems of this type are known in many and various forms anddesigns. They are used, for example, to conduct liquids, but primarilyto conduct air and here in particular to conduct compressed air todesired removal points.

G 91 02 781.0 U1, for example, discloses a hollow rail or rod generallyused to conduct or channel and distribute fluids, which consists ofextruded profile material made of aluminum and has a centrallongitudinal bore and flute-like or channel-like grooves extendinglaterally in the longitudinal direction and open to the outside. Withthe aid of connecting elements, this rail or rod can be detachablyconnected, in modular fashion, to other rods or rails formed in the sameway and running coaxially with it or at an angle to it. Said connectingelements comprise tubular connecting pieces and connecting platesrunning between the mutually facing ends and able to be connected to thelatter and sealing the latter off, even under pressure. Furthermore,outlet holes serving for the removal of the fluid are provided along therails or rods, in each case being covered and sealed by a removableclosure and outlet plate, which has at least one continuous threadedhole which serves to connect a distribution or consumer line for thefluid.

In order to fix the connecting plate to the profile, insert pieces areprovided on two screws in each case, which are pushed into the groovesfrom the front and are fixed at a desired point by tightening thescrews. This has the disadvantage that the connecting plates or the likehave to be introduced and positioned arduously or, often, have to beshifted along the profile from a far removed point which, for example inthe case of overhead work, entails a great deal of trouble.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system of theaforementioned type with which the production and, above all, theassembly of the connecting elements is made significantly easier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing object is achieved by providing a fastening element whichpasses through a connecting element and has a clamping piece which canbe inserted into a recess and fixed in the recess by turning. This meansthat the connecting element is put in place and fixed directly at thepoint at which it is also to be fixed to the profile. Arduous insertionor complicated shifting and positioning of the connecting element over aconsiderable distance is avoided. Furthermore, the connecting elementcan be fixed in a substantially more specific manner.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the recess in the profile is anundercut groove. As a result, the recess, for example, does notspecifically have to be centered to a specific point, to which theconnecting element is to be fixed, instead it is possible to fix theconnecting element at any desired point on the profile and, if it is notsituated correctly, to loosen it again and to shift it.

The clamping piece is preferably a small plate shaped like aparallelogram. This small plate has the advantage that, during rotationin the undercut groove, for example, it strikes the groove walls andtherefore cannot be rotated further. The width of the small plate is ofcourse limited to the width of the groove or is less than the latter,specifically in order that this small plate can be inserted into thegroove without difficulty.

The fastening element preferably comprises the clamping piece justmentioned and a bolt, which passes through a hole in the connectingelement. The bolt in turn engages into a threaded hole in the clampingpiece and can be turned in this threaded hole. The bolt head has arecess, preferably to accommodate an insert bit, but another shape ofthe recess is also possible, for example to accommodate a cross-headscrewdriver.

Thought is primarily given to supporting the bolt head against theconnecting element via a helical spring. This has the advantage that theclamping piece rests on the underside of the connecting element when atrest. For the purpose of insertion into the groove mentioned above, theclamping piece is inserted into the groove, pressure is then exerted onthe bolt via the tool, so that said bolt presses the clamping piece intothe groove counter to the back-pressure from the helical spring. Thebolt is then rotated with the appropriate tool or with the insert bit,the bolt also carrying the clamping piece with it during the firstrotation, until said clamping piece strikes the inner walls of thegroove with its parallelogram faces. Further rotation of the clampingpiece is therefore prevented, but the bolt continues to rotate with theaid of the tool in the threaded hole in the clamping piece and tightensthe clamping piece. The latter then presses from the inside against theundercut flanks of the groove, which fixes the connecting element to theprofile.

In order that the clamping piece is already precentered to be receivedin the groove, outside the position of use it is intended to be receivedat least partly in a channel or to strike on one edge on the undersideof the connecting element. Primarily when two clamping pieces arearranged in a line, precentering is carried out by this channel or bythis impact edge, so that correcting the position of the clamping piecebefore inserting it into the groove does not have to be carried out bymeans of the tool.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connecting element isan approximately rectangular basic element which, in two mutuallyopposite corner regions, preferably in all four corner regions, has afastening element described above comprising clamping piece and boltwith helical spring. The base element is placed on the profile, so thatin each case two clamping pieces move into a groove in the profile inline.

In order to accelerate the assembly still further and to facilitate it,in a further exemplary embodiment thought is given to the connectingelement having on one side two fastening elements comprising clampingpiece, bolt and helical spring, while the other side is occupied by apivoting strip. This pivoting strip forms a hinge channel, which can beplaced onto one edge of the recess in the profile, that is to say thegroove. The edge engages in the hinge channel, so that, so to speak, ahinge is formed between the edge and the pivoting strip. This dispenseswith tightening two bolts. On the opposite side of the pivoting stripthere are two fastening elements, described above.

For simplicity, the pivoting strip itself can likewise be fixed to theconnecting element by fastening elements, in particular by bolts, butafter being fixed it no longer has any mobility, like the clampingpieces described above.

In order that the pivoting strip is also centered, a stop edge, againstwhich the pivoting strip is supported, can be formed into the undersideof the connecting element.

A connecting element of this type is used, for example, when aconnection is to be produced between an opening toward the longitudinalchannel and a tapping point for the fluid. In this case, the connectingelement itself has a hole which ensures a passage to the opening.

However, the connecting element can also be used in many other ways. Forexample, it can be used to fix a channel connector. This channelconnector is generally a sleeve, which is inserted into the longitudinalchannel of the profile so as to be sealed off by an O ring. On the otherhand, the channel connector, likewise sealed off by an O ring, can beinserted into a further longitudinal channel or else have a screwconnection. It is important here that the channel connector is held inits inserted position and does not slip out, for example under aninternal pressure built up in the longitudinal channel. For the purposeof holding the channel connector, the connecting element has a clampstrip, which engages over the profile and engages in an annular groovein the channel connector.

Furthermore, there are connecting elements which are merely intended toconnect two profiles to each other. Here, it is possible to provide apair of clamping pieces of the fastening elements in each case on aplate, opposite pivoting strips, one pivoting strip with a pair offastening elements being inserted into the grooves of the one profileand the other pivoting strip with the other pair of clamping piecesbeing inserted into the grooves of the other profile.

The connecting element according to the invention can also be used toproduce nodes, T-like and L-like connections. In this case, it is abent-over plate, but which has a pivoting strip at most on one leg,while the pivoting strip on the other leg is replaced by a pair offastening elements with clamping pieces.

Also considered as a connecting element is, for example, a wall angle,by means of which a profile run can be fixed to a wall or the like. Anappropriate loadbearing leg on this wall angle is preferably to bepenetrated by a fastening element described above which has theparallelogram-like clamping piece. In order to fix the profile, thisclamping piece is inserted into an appropriately undercut groove andfixed by rotating the bolt.

In order that a predefined position or a predefined course of theprofile can be taken into account, there should be a plurality ofrecesses in the loadbearing leg, so that the fastening element passesthrough the loadbearing leg at different points. For example, theobvious thing here is a diagonal slot or a slot parallel to the side.Furthermore, it is possible to provide a hole as a transition to a slot,the hole having a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the bolthead. In this way, a fastening element can even be inserted into theslot subsequently, without having to take it apart.

These are only some examples of the way in which the connecting elementcan be used for a modular construction of the conduit system. Dependingon the application, many other possibilities are conceivable.

In the present conduit system according to the invention, a new nodepoint can also be used, but separate protection is requested for this.This node point has a housing which has a plurality of connections, sothat depending on the desired configuration, the profiles can beconnected to the node point. If a connection of a profile is desired,then it is sufficient to screw a channel connector described above intothe corresponding connecting hole, to push the profile onto said channelconnector and to fit the appropriate connecting element. Thoseconnections which are not needed should be closed by means ofappropriate blind plugs. A node point of this type can be applied andused extremely flexibly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge fromthe following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and usingthe drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a profile for forming a conduitsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a connecting element according to theinvention;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the connecting element according to FIG. 2,tilted through 90°;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the underside of the connecting elementaccording to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the connecting element according to FIG. 4,again tilted through 90°;

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the connecting element according to FIG. 5tilted laterally through 90°;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of a profile of a conduit system according tothe invention during the insertion of the connecting element accordingto FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a front view of the arrangement according to FIG. 7in further positions of use;

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a profile of a conduit system according tothe invention with a channel connector inserted;

FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a connecting element for connecting theprofile according to FIG. 10 to the channel connector;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show front views of the connecting element according toFIG. 11, in each case tilted through 90°;

FIG. 14 shows a plan view of a node point according to the invention forconnecting two profiles;

FIG. 15 shows a plan view of two abutting profiles;

FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a connecting element for connecting the twoprofiles according to FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 shows a plan view of the underside of the connecting elementaccording to FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 shows a plan view of two profiles, producing a T-shapedconnection, of a conduit system according to the invention with twoconnecting elements securing this connection outside the position ofuse;

FIG. 19 shows a side view of a wall angle according to the invention forfixing a profile;

FIG. 20 shows a plan view of the wall angle according to FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a wallangle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A conduit system according to the invention for supplying, conductingand distributing fluids, in particular air, is to be composed in amodular fashion from individual profiles, as far as possible of the samedesign. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of a profile 1 has alongitudinal channel 2, in which the fluid is carried. In an outer wall3 of the profile 1 there is an opening 4, through which fluid can beremoved by means of an appropriate connecting element 14.

Furthermore, it can be seen that, in the outer wall 3, two undercutgrooves 5 and 6 running parallel to each other are integrally molded,which serve to fix a connecting element 14 described in the followingfigures.

In this exemplary embodiment of a profile 1, it can be seen that anouter wall 7 lying opposite the outer wall 3 is also provided withrespectively two further undercut grooves 8 and 9, while an upper side10 and a lower side 11 in each case only have one groove 12 and 13. Ofcourse, the upper side 10 and underside 11 can also be provided with twoundercut grooves running parallel to each other in each case, so thatall the sides of the profile are of identical design. By this means,transpositions during assembly are avoided.

A connecting element 14 according to the invention, which is intended toform a connection between the profile 1 and a removal point, notspecifically shown, or itself to form the removal point, according toFIG. 3 has an approximately rectangular baseplate 15, on which fourcorner regions 19.1 to 19.4 are formed by an elevation 16. Situated onthe elevation 16 is a cylindrical section 17, which constitutes atransfer line to a connecting element of a removal device for the fluid.Cylindrical section 17, elevation 16 and baseplate 15 are penetrated bya hole 18 (FIG. 2) which, in the position of use, is aligned with theopening 4 in the profile 1.

In the corner regions 19.1 to 19.4, four fastening elements 20.1 to 20.4can be seen. The fastening elements 20.1 and 20.2, according to FIG. 3,each have a bolt 21 comprising a threaded shank 21 a and a bolt head 22,said bolt 21 passing through the baseplate 15 and then engaging in athreaded hole 23 shown in FIG. 4 and belonging to a clamping piece 24.This clamping piece 24 is preferably configured like a parallelogram.

With respect to the baseplate 15, the bolt head 22 of the bolt 21 isotherwise supported via a helical spring 25.

Integrally molded into an underside 26 of the connecting element 14 is achannel 27, which serves for the at least partial accommodation andcentering of the clamping pieces 24.

In order to seal off the region around the opening 4 in relation to thehole 18 in the position of use after the connecting element 14 has beenfixed to the profile 1, an O ring 28 is provided, which is inserted intoan annular groove 29 in the underside 26 of the connecting element 14and surrounds the hole 18.

Furthermore, a stop edge 30 is machined into the underside 26 of theconnecting element 14, against which a pivoting strip 31 illustrated inmore detail in FIGS. 5 and 6 strikes. The pivoting strip 31 is held bythe two fastening elements 20.3 and 20.4, which likewise pass throughthe baseplate 15 and engage in corresponding threaded holes, notspecifically identified, in the pivoting strip 31.

Together with the baseplate 15, the pivoting strip 31 forms a hingegroove 32.

According to FIGS. 7 to 9, the connecting element 14 is connected to theprofile 1 in the following way:

The connecting element 14 is placed with the pivoting strip 31 on oneedge 33 of the recess 6 and pivoted in the direction toward the profile1. As soon as the connecting element 14 bears on the profile 1, theclamping piece 24 also engages in the groove 5, the clamping piece 24being centered via an inner edge 34. This inner edge 34 runs parallel tothe slot of the groove 5.

Then, according to FIG. 9, pressure is exerted on the bolt 21, so thatthe latter, together with the clamping piece 24, penetrates into thegroove 5 counter to the pressure of the helical spring 25. If the bolt21 is then rotated, first of all the clamping piece 24 pivots with ituntil it strikes the groove walls 35 and 36 laterally, the clampingpiece 24 preferably being mounted in such a way that two sides of theparallelogram bear on the groove walls 35 and 36. So that the clampingpiece 24 corotates with the bolts 21, the threaded hole 23 should haveany desired production locking means with respect to the threaded shank21 a or, for example, a covering, an adhesive or the like in order toensure that the clamping piece 24 is carried along until it bears on thegroove walls 35, 36.

If the bolt 21 is now rotated further, then the threaded shank 21 arotates further into the threaded hole 23 in the clamping piece, so thatthe clamping piece 24 is tightened and is pressed from the insideagainst the groove undercuts. This fixes the fastening elements 14.

In order to loosen the fastening element 14, the bolts 21 are rotated,so that the clamping piece 24 is freed from its clamped position. Assoon as the clamping piece 24 is free, it rotates together with the bolt21, because of the aforementioned locking, and passes into a position inwhich it can slide back again into the groove opening according to FIG.8 under spring tension. The clamping piece and, with it, the connectingelement 14 therefore becomes free.

In some cases, it is desirable to connect a profile 1 to, for example, achannel connector 37 which, on one side, is plugged into thelongitudinal channel 2 in the profile 1, sealed off by an O ring, notspecifically illustrated, and on the other side is screwed onto anotherprofile, node element or the like by means of an external thread 38. Inorder to connect the profile 1 to the channel connector 37, here aconnecting element 14.1 is provided which, firstly, has the clampingpieces 24 and, secondly, has the pivoting strip 31. In this case, theconnecting element 14.1 has only the baseplate 15 and the elevation 16,it likewise being possible to dispense with the latter.

By contrast, the baseplate 15.1 is extended by a clamping strip 39which, viewed in cross section, forms an angle profile, a hollow 41being integrally molded in its front legs 40. In the position of use,this hollow 41 can engage in an annular groove 42 which in turn isintegrally molded in the channel connector 37.

The connecting element 14.1 is primarily also suited for the connectionof profiles 1.1 or 1.2 to a node point 50. The connection is produced bya connecting element 14.1 and in each case a channel connector 37.1 and37.2.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the node point 50 has anapproximately rectangular housing 51, in the interior of which there isa channel cross 52, illustrated dashed. This channel cross 52 permitsthe connection of four profiles. Naturally, node points with fewer ormore connections also lie within the scope of the invention. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, only two connections are occupied bychannel connectors 37.1 and 37.2, the two other connections are in eachcase closed by a plug 53.1 and 53.2. Should these connections be used,the respective plug 53.1 or 53.2 can be removed and a channel connector37 can be screwed in. A node point 50 of this type is extremelyflexible.

According to FIGS. 15 to 17, there is also the possibility ofbutt-joining two profiles 1.1 and 1.2 to each other. For this purpose,one connecting element 14.2 has a baseplate 15.2, which is furtheroptionally occupied by two elevations 16.1 and 16.2.

On the underside 26.1 of the baseplate 15.2, two pairs of clampingpieces 24 and two pivoting strips 31 can be seen. In each case apivoting strip 31 is inserted into the grooves 5 of the profiles 1.1 and1.2, while in each case a pair of clamping pieces 24 engage in thegrooves 6 of the profiles 1.1 and 1.2.

By means of the system according to the invention, it is also possiblefor node points, T and L connections to be produced between theprofiles, as shown in FIG. 18. In this case, a connecting element 14.3is substantially formed from a baseplate 15.3 which comprises twobent-over legs 43.1 and 43.2. Each bent-over leg 43.1 and 43.2 in eachcase has two pairs of mutually opposite clamping pieces 24, so that inthis exemplary embodiment the pivoting strips 31 are omitted or there isonly one pivoting strip.

For the purpose of assembly, these connecting elements 14.2 are insertedinto the corner regions of the profiles 1.1 and 1.2, and the clampingpieces 24 are inserted one after another into the respective undercutgroove by means of pressure on the bolts 21, and are rotated andtightened.

To fix the profile 1 according to the invention, for example to a wall,not specifically illustrated, use is made of a wall angle 55,illustrated in FIG. 19. This wall angle 55 has a fastening leg 56 and aloadbearing leg 57. In the loadbearing leg 57 there are preferablyvarious cutouts, into which at least one fastening element 20.1 withclamping piece 24 can be inserted. In the position of use, this clampingpiece 24 engages, for example, in the groove 12 or 13 of the profile 1,the profile 1 being fixed by rotating the bolt 21 and therefore theclamping piece 24.

According to FIG. 20, a diagonal slot 58 is integrally molded in theloadbearing leg 57.1, while there are further simple holes 59.1 and 59.2in two corner regions.

In the exemplary embodiment of a loadbearing plate 57.2 according toFIG. 21, a slot 59 parallel to the sides is provided, which is connectedto a receiving hole 60, through which the bolt head 22 fits.

1. A conduit system for supplying, conducting and distributing fluidscomprising profiles (1, 1.1, 1.2) which have a longitudinal channel (2)for the fluid and, in at least one outer wall (3, 7), at least onerecess (5, 6, 8, 9) for receiving a fastening element (20.1, 20.2) for aconnecting element (14, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 55), the fastening element(20.1, 20.2) passes through the connecting element (14, 14.1, 14.2,14.3, 55) and has a clamping piece (24) which can be inserted into arecess (5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13) and can be fixed in the recess by turningthe fastening element (20.1, 20.2), the fastening element comprises abolt (21), which passes through a hole in the connecting element (14,14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 55), wherein the bolt (21) has a threaded shank (21 a)inserted into a threaded hole (23) in the clamping piece (24), wherein aspring is positioned between the bolt head (27) and the connectingelement (14, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 55).
 2. The conduit system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the recess is an undercut groove (5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13).3. The conduit system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping piece(24) is a small plate shaped like a parallelogram.
 4. The conduit systemas claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring (25) is a helical spring (25).5. The conduit system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping piece(24) is at least partly accommodated into an underside (26, 26.1) of theconnecting element.
 6. The conduit system as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe connecting element has four corner regions (19.1, 19.2), and afastening element (20.1, 20.2) is provided in each corner region.
 7. Theconduit system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element(14, 14.1) has on one side at least two fastening elements (20.1, 20.2),while an other side is occupied by a pivoting strip (31).
 8. The conduitsystem as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pivoting strip (31) forms ahinge channel (32), into which one edge (33) of the recess (5) in theprofile (1) is inserted.
 9. The conduit system as claimed in claim 7,wherein the pivoting strip (31) is fixed to the connecting element (14,14.1, 14.2) by means of fastening elements (20.3, 20.4).
 10. The conduitsystem as claimed in claim 7, wherein a stop edge (30) for the pivotingstrip (31) is integrally molded into the connecting element (14, 14.1,14.2).
 11. The conduit system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a clampstrip (39) for fixing a channel connector (37) projects from theconnecting element (14.1).
 12. The conduit system as claimed in claim11, wherein the channel connector (37) has an annular groove (42), inwhich the clamp strip (39) partly engages.
 13. The conduit system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of clamping pieces (24) and/orpivoting strips (31) are provided to connect two profiles (1.1, 1.2).14. The conduit system as claimed in claim 13, wherein a plate (15.3)for producing node points, T or L connections of the profiles (1.1, 1.2)is bent over at a desired angle corresponding to the connection to beproduced, and is provided with corresponding fastening elements.
 15. Theconduit system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element isa wall angle (55), which has a loadbearing leg (57) with at least onerecess (58, 59, 59.1, 59.2, 60) for receiving a fastening element(20.1).